Thanks for the link. First build I've seen - Would love to see more of the Ogre. Been agonizing over getting an Ogre or a Jabberwocky, especially with the Vassago sale going on, making it $200 less than the Ogre. But it's definitely less versatile than the Ogre.

That looks awesome. I have a frameset on order, my LBS told me the availability date was today, but I'm kinda doubting that's the case, since 20" frames aren't available online. Hopefully I'll be posting it soon though!

That's my bike ... picking it up tomorrow and I'm really psyched. Salvagetti has been great to work with. I had a very specific build in mind and they patiently guided me through all the options and choices.

Thanks for the link. First build I've seen - Would love to see more of the Ogre. Been agonizing over getting an Ogre or a Jabberwocky, especially with the Vassago sale going on, making it $200 less than the Ogre. But it's definitely less versatile than the Ogre.

No fork though, so once you add $117 for the matching fork, you're up to $483, which is only $42 less than the Ogre.

That's my bike ... picking it up tomorrow and I'm really psyched. Salvagetti has been great to work with. I had a very specific build in mind and they patiently guided me through all the options and choices.

That's a very nice looking bike. Thinking about getting a frame just because it's so versatile. I was actually toying with the idea of a drop bar single speed with flip flop rear hub to start with. Drops look good on it. I'm anxiously awaiting the ride report, too.

Picked it up yesterday but have only put a couple miles on it. So far so good. It's very comfortable and is a very smooth ride. It's definitely the heaviest bike I own but that was expected, especially with the full racks, studded tires, etc.

Unfortunately I'll only be commuting on Monday and then head out of town for the week, so it may be a while before I have some real input on the bike. If anyone has specific questions let me know & I'll do my best to answer them.

Picked it up yesterday but have only put a couple miles on it. So far so good. It's very comfortable and is a very smooth ride. It's definitely the heaviest bike I own but that was expected, especially with the full racks, studded tires, etc.

Unfortunately I'll only be commuting on Monday and then head out of town for the week, so it may be a while before I have some real input on the bike. If anyone has specific questions let me know & I'll do my best to answer them.

Congrats on the new Ogre. I will probably getting one and piecing it together slowly. But I do want an Alfined one, similar to yours. Hows that front hub working out?

I finally ordered up some parts last week, so I'll have my brakes, stem, seat post, levers, and headset today. Now I need to order up my rims and crank and I'll get to building this thing. Its going to be my commuter. I'll start up a thread at some point.

But I do want an Alfined one, similar to yours. Hows that front hub working out?

Front hub is great - I really don't notice it. The E3 front light (asymmetrical) is good but it's taken a bit to get used to (and adjust) the light beam. As many folks have noted it dims quite a bit while stopped. The rear light hasn't impressed me too much. I think it's bright if you're directly behind it, but otherwise it is almost non-existent. My PB Superflash went on right away to 'supplement' it.

My other feedback on this, none of which is Ogre specific:
* The JTek shifter is great - I love it
* The rear hub has needed adjustment every 5-10 miles so far. I'm really hoping things will settle in.
* This is my first bike with fenders and I'm not fond of them.

OK, here's the somewhat overdue and anti-climactic completed build. I still have to add racks, cages, computer, etc. etc, but it's ridable for now.

Took it for a spin down the alley, felt great, but I need to dial in the brakes a lot. I didn't find the BB7s as easy to install as I thought they would be, so I'll take it to the shop and get some professional help. Everything else came together pretty smoothly though. I've got skinny tires on it for now for commuting, it's going to be a long, long time before it sees any singletrack.

Thanks for the tip! I have kind of a weird work situation, I'm commuting about 30 miles a day now, but very likely in 3 or 4 weeks I'll be moving across the country and the bikes will have to go in storage for a few months. After that, I'll have to re-evaluate what I'll need for commuting, recreation etc, but for now I'm just going to throw a rack on it and call it good. Hopefully this time year I'll be trekking across the desert on my Ogre.

Very, VERY nice Mikey! You've tipped my scale, plus my LBS has come through with an attractive deal on a IGH... What drive train are you running ? Especially up front...

Happy New Year!

Hey thanks! Happy new years to you too. It's just a 1x9 SLX setup, I might bolt on the other chainrings, I just wanted to try it like this first. The crank is a Race Face Ride with a bashguard, nothing too special but it was cheap and looked decent.

Mikey, is that a 20" bought as a frameset? I am trying to sort out the rumors, and I'd read that complete Ogres were showing up with the extra braze-ons, but didn't know the framesets were yet. I am waiting to order a 20" until I can be confident of getting the new version. Great news if the waiting is over! Nice build. I'm planning an Alfine 8 rear hub with SLX double crankset.

Yes, I bought it as a frameset. I "ordered" it two days after Thanksgiving, basically I had my LBS order it, but it took until Dec. 16 or so before it was actually in stock. When I ordered it, I had no idea that they were going to start making them with the extras, so I just got lucky. I'm pretty sure that if you order one now, it'll come like that, if you can find someplace that has them in stock.

I'm almost done building up my new Karate Monkey. Last night I wired my brakes. Did you consider running your front brake cable behind the fork?

I thought the upper housing mount on the KM fork (same fork as Ogre sans braze ons?) was angled with the intention to pass housing between downtube and fork on its way to the lever. It seems to be a good path for the housing without any contact to the headtube.

I'm almost done building up my new Karate Monkey. Last night I wired my brakes. Did you consider running your front brake cable behind the fork?

I thought the upper housing mount on the KM fork (same fork as Ogre sans braze ons?) was angled with the intention to pass housing between downtube and fork on its way to the lever. It seems to be a good path for the housing without any contact to the headtube.

Thanks for the tip. This is my first time installing discs, and I tend to just look at things and think, "hey maybe this should go there." I hadn't thought of routing it under the DT. Looking at the pictures, it seems like it would work, unless it interefered with fenders or bigger tires?

Sorry the picture isn't great - crap cameraphone. Will post some more pics later.

I went for the Ogre as I needed a bike that I could use with a childseat and my 2yr old boy (including maybe some overnight trips) and that I could use as a proper mtb. I got rid of two steel Kona 26" hardtails to get this bike. I bought the Ogre as a frameset and where possible transferred components from the other bikes.

That looks great! I especially like the brick wall I will also be carting my 2 yr old around on mine, I'm a little worried about the clearance though. I haven't set it up yet. Have you tried yours out?

The saddle pack is a little tight around the little one's crotch shall we say The rack struts were adjusted to fit the old bike which had more clearance. I have just got some new struts (from a Topeak rack) which are longer so will fit those. these will give more clearance - I think the problem is down to the struts and the seat angle as the bottom mounting point for the rack is 2cm further back from the bottom bracket than on the old bike so in theory should give more clearance (you may notice the rack isn't quite level).

Anyhows, I have done a couple fo rides with my son and he doesn't care!

When I first saw the Ogre on Surly's website, I knew it was the bike for me. Even the color was perfect. All I had to do was wait patiently for a frameset to be available. But then, while I was waiting, I ran across a 2011 Karate Monkey complete (gray single speed) on closeout for $800. I couldn't pass that up, and it was ALMOST the Ogre that I really wanted... It's a great bike, and I have already added gears and moved the single speed parts to an old frame I had (a 2001 Schwinn Sierra 700 GS). Then I start hearing about the "extra" braze ons on the Ogres and I get to thinking about how I really need both bikes, so I decided to buy a frame as soon as I could find one. But then I started thinking about how the KM and Ogre have the same geometry, and wondering if it makes sense to have two bikes so similar. And I worried that the Ogre/KM chainstays might be a little short for touring. So I gave the Salsa Fargo, which was what I wanted before I saw the Ogre, another look. Then naturally I started comparing it to the Long Haul Trucker and Vaya... All four bikes are so similar but so different. Long story short, I ordered a Fargo frame yesterday. My Ogre build will have to wait for another day.

When I first saw the Ogre on Surly's website, I knew it was the bike for me. Even the color was perfect. All I had to do was wait patiently for a frameset to be available. But then, while I was waiting, I ran across a 2011 Karate Monkey complete (gray single speed) on closeout for $800. I couldn't pass that up, and it was ALMOST the Ogre that I really wanted... It's a great bike, and I have already added gears and moved the single speed parts to an old frame I had (a 2001 Schwinn Sierra 700 GS). Then I start hearing about the "extra" braze ons on the Ogres and I get to thinking about how I really need both bikes, so I decided to buy a frame as soon as I could find one. But then I started thinking about how the KM and Ogre have the same geometry, and wondering if it makes sense to have two bikes so similar. And I worried that the Ogre/KM chainstays might be a little short for touring. So I gave the Salsa Fargo, which was what I wanted before I saw the Ogre, another look. Then naturally I started comparing it to the Long Haul Trucker and Vaya... All four bikes are so similar but so different. Long story short, I ordered a Fargo frame yesterday. My Ogre build will have to wait for another day.

Oh yeah, I think you're totally on point. Not a whole lot of difference between the pre-2012 KMs and the Ogre. In fact, without any insider knowledge at all, I'll bet Surly stripped down the KM for 2012 because the Ogre sort of carries the torch as the versatile, do everything 29er that the KM used to be. But unless you have a Rolhoff hub or a BOB trailer or a set of old big $ custom touring racks that need braze-ons to mount, the old KM is pretty much the same bike as the Ogre. Aside from the color, of course.

I think you could justify having both an Ogre and KM, especially if you had them set up differently. Say, one SS with a squish fork for singletrack and the other rigid and racked for commuting/touring. But the Fargo is obviously great for any sort of geared riding and KM/Fargo is going to be an awesome combo. You're going to have a fun 2012.

I agree with Careby. The first time I saw the Ogre I knew I had to have it, but now that I'm counting my pennies and determining what I actually need I think I might just go with the KM even if it is only 60 bucks cheaper. The KM still has eyelets for a rear rack if I need it I just wont have all the Braze-ons on the fork... But looking at the pictures I dont know if I want all of the holes in the fork anyway. I guess when it's all said and done I just want a 29er that I can install full coverage fenders on... But I love that Army Green!!

The Ogre is so far my "dream bike." Rode the Karate Monkey for a few years and ran into one issue after another. The KM is a "do all bike," but! It doesn't do it all well at the same time. The Ogre has saved the day. With one exception, my old front fender doesn't fit up inside the fork, its too narrow. I'll live though. Pretty much, the KM should be discontinued.

Discontinue the granddaddy of 29ers? No way. Have you noticed how the latest trend in 29er geometry is to make the chainstays as short as possible? Which is pretty much what the KM has had since 2004. KM is still a very relavent bike.

Got z Ogre!

Hey,
My frame arrived the other day in all its glory! Very nice! The color rocks! I swung by the LBS after work to pick up some parts that I didn't have on hand. Should start assembly this weekend. Some basic info is Mavic 719 wheels, BB7 brakes, Brooks saddle, sweep bars, Truvative crank/BB, Single Speed for now.

A couple of questions:
The badge on my head tube is not sticking down. Since its sort of stiff it wants to peel up on its own. Any suggestions. My apparent options are take it off and fling it somewhere, see if I can glue it with something (3M spray adhesive?), duct tape it on, or have it remade in vinyl and lose the 3D looking plastic. Anyone else battling this?

Also, under the gusset at the top of the down tube there is a void that got missed in the power coat process, just bare steel under there. I guess I'll just mask it off and spray some black paint in there. Unless I'm upside down you won't be able to see it. Other suggestions?

Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing the build. I had the same problem withthe headtube decal with my Cross Check that I got in 2008. I just used some superglue gel and it stuck fine. I haven't checked my Ogre's "void" yet, I wonder if it's a common problem.

I've been commuting on mine for about a week now, and it's great. Still tweaking the cockpit and the gears, but overall it's been a ton of fun. Much more nimble and quick feeling loaded down than the Cross Check, even though it's heavier.

Its probably hard to get powder in there without getting too much around the mouth as it were. It fairly common for gussted frames, just the surly is one of the few you can see in to notice. White On-ones were notorious for having rusty stains running down the downtube. Spray some paint in or better still, wax oil.

I've been commuting on mine for about a week now, and it's great. Still tweaking the cockpit and the gears, but overall it's been a ton of fun. Much more nimble and quick feeling loaded down than the Cross Check, even though it's heavier.

Care to expand on this a litte, how was you CC set-up compared to the Ogre? Was the CC suitable for what it was used for etc. I have a CC and an LHT, tempted to swap the CC for an Ogre but i love my CC so much i dont think i could go through with it.

Care to expand on this a litte, how was you CC set-up compared to the Ogre? Was the CC suitable for what it was used for etc. I have a CC and an LHT, tempted to swap the CC for an Ogre but i love my CC so much i dont think i could go through with it.

Sure, I've commuted on my CC for about 4 years now, and it was and still is a great bike for this. The CC is set up as a 1x10, although the 10spd was always a little finicky. The only problems I had were the toe overlap, which was pretty bad with 35s and fenders and size 13 feet, and it was pretty harsh feeling, especially on Chicago's terrible roads. I never really loved drop bars either, but I got used to them.

The Ogre is much smoother with the 45s I have on, and feels more manueverable, kinda "flickable." No toe overlap at all, and I like the more upright position, although it does feel a bit slower, and any sort of illusions I had about looking cool and fast are long gone. I have more confidence tackling crumbling pavement and metal grate bridges too.

Other observations on my build:

-The bar ends are coming off, they are pretty pointless here, with no hills. I'm going to chop 1/2" off each end of the bars, which will make it easier to squeeze through traffic and trees.
-Brake issues are resolved, it was my fault for futzing with them before I installed them and popping the little adjuster thingy out of place.
-The rear wheel is pretty difficult to remove. I have to take the skewer out and even then it's pretty ugly. Anyone found a way around this?
-Moving to a 2x9 setup, as soon as I can find a shim for the front der.
-Moved the stem down about 1/2," but I may drop it a little more.
-Contemplating names. Possibilities :Eugene, Radar, Klinger